Portable electronic device and associated charging stand

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device and associated charging stand assembly where the portable electronic device has an inbuilt printer and the associated charging stand recharges the device battery and refills the printer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/503,901 filed Aug. 9, 2004, which is a 371 of PCT/AU03/00170, all of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electronic devices having an internal printer and to a charging assembly for replenishing the internal ink reservoir of the printer.

This application refers to the following co-pending applications of the present applicant, the entire contents of which are duly incorporated herein:

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present invention are disclosed in the following co-pending applications filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention simultaneously with the present application:

PCT/AU03/00154 PCT/AU03/00151 PCT/AU03/00150 PCT/ AU03/00145 PCT/AU03/00153 PCT/AU03/00152 PCT/AU03/00168 PCT/ AU03/00169 PCT/AU03/00170 PCT/AU03/00162 PCT/AU03/00146 PCT/ AU03/00159 PCT/AU03/00171 PCT/AU03/00149 PCT/AU03/00167 PCT/ AU03/00158 PCT/AU03/00147 PCT/AU03/00166 PCT/AU03/00164 PCT/ AU03/00163 PCT/AU03/00165 PCT/AU03/00160 PCT/AU03/00157 PCT/ AU03/00148 PCT/AU03/00156 PCT/AU03/00155

The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by cross-reference. Each application is temporarily identified by its file reference. This will be replaced by the corresponding PCT Application Number when available.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS 6566858 6331946 6246970 6442525 PCT/AU01/00141 09/505951 PCT/AU01/00139 6816968 6757832 PCT/AU01/00140 PCT/AU00/00741 6238044 PCT/AU00/00742 6425661 6227652 6213588 6213589 6231163 6247795 6394581 6244691 6257704 6416168 6220694 6257705 6247794 6234610 6247793 6264306 6241342 6247792 6264307 6254220 6234611 6302528 6283582 6239821 6338547 6247796 6557977 6390603 6362843 6293653 6312107 6227653 6234609 6238040 6188415 6227654 6209989 6247791 6336710 6217153 6416167 6243113 6283581 6247790 6260953 6267469 6273544 6309048 6420196 6443558 6439689 6378989 6848181 6634735 PCT/AU98/00550 PCT/AU00/00095 6390605 6322195 6612110 6480089 6460778 6305788 PCT/AU00/00172 6426014 PCT/AU00/00338 6364453 PCT/AU00/00339 6457795 PCT/AU00/00581 6315399 PCT/AU00/00580 6338548 PCT/AU00/00582 6540319 PCT/AU00/00587 6328431 PCT/AU00/00588 6328425 PCT/AU00/00589 6991320 PCT/AU00/00341 6595624 PCT/AU00/00340 PCT/AU00/00749 6417757 PCT/AU01/01332 7095309 PCT/AU01/01318 6854825 PCT/AU00/00750 7075677 PCT/AU00/00751 6428139 PCT/AU00/00752 6575549 PCT/AU01/00502 PCT/AU00/00583 6383833 PCT/AU02/01120 PCT/AU00/00593 6464332 PCT/AU00/00333 PCT/AU00/01513 6428142 PCT/AU00/00590 6390591 PCT/AU00/00591 7018016 PCT/AU00/00592 6328417 PCT/AU00/00584 6322194 PCT/AU00/00585 6382779 PCT/AU00/00586 6629745 PCT/AU00/01514 6565193 PCT/AU00/01515 6609786 PCT/AU00/01516 6609787 PCT/AU00/01517 6439908 PCT/AU00/01512 6684503 PCT/AU00/00753 6755513 PCT/AU00/00594 6409323 PCT/AU00/00595 6281912 PCT/AU00/00596 6604810 PCT/AU00/00597 6318920 PCT/AU00/00598 6488422 PCT/AU01/01321 6655786 PCT/AU01/01322 6457810 PCT/AU01/01323 6485135 PCT/AU00/00516 6795215 PCT/AU00/00517 7154638 PCT/AU00/00511 6859289 PCT/AU00/00754 6977751 PCT/AU00/00755 6398332 PCT/AU00/00756 6394573 PCT/AU00/00757 6622923

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, printers have been desktop devices and have thus been large and immobile. Printers have had large capacity ink cartridges requiring seldom replacement. Replacement ink cartridges are typically kept on hand so that when the current ink cartridge is exhausted it can be replaced with little interruption to the printer operation.

Recent developments have seen printers being incorporated into portable telecommunications devices such as mobile telephones. Examples of such applications can be found in the present applicant's co-pending applications listed above. However, with a portable printer, there is a problem that a replacement ink cartridge will not always be at hand if the ink supply is exhausted. To overcome this problem the ink cartridge will be replaced before it is absolutely necessary resulting in a wastage of ink otherwise there will be a risk that the ink supply will run out, rendering the printer useless until a replacement ink cartridge is found.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a charging stand for a mobile telecommunications device having an internal printer, the charging stand including:

-   -   a base;     -   a receptacle formed in said base and adapted to releasably         receive a mobile telecommunications device;     -   a power connection for receiving power with which to provide         recharging power to a mobile telecommunication device;     -   an ink reservoir storing at least one type or color of ink;     -   a power transmission arrangement for providing the recharging         power to a mobile telecommunications device when positioned in         the receptacle; and     -   at least one ink connection adapted to engage complimentary ink         receiving connections of a mobile telecommunications device, for         providing ink from the at least one ink reservoir to the ink         telecommunications device when the telecommunications device is         positioned in the receptacle.

Preferably, the power transmission arrangement includes one or more conductive contacts configured to engage complementary conductive contacts on a mobile telecommunications device placed within the receptacle. An electrical circuit can thereby be established for recharging a battery of the telecommunications device.

Alternatively, the power transmission arrangement can include a magnetic field generator for generating an inductive coupling between the stand and a suitable inductive current generation device within the mobile telecommunications device for recharging a battery of the telecommunications device, configured such that the telecommunications device automatically recharges the battery when placed in the receptacle.

Preferably, the power connection is an external power connection for receiving power from a remote source.

It is particularly preferred that the ink reservoir be a removable ink cartridge. In this case, the ink connection includes at least one cartridge connection for engaging at least one corresponding complementary formation on said ink cartridge.

Preferably, the ink reservoir includes a plurality of ink chambers storing distinct ink colours and/or types, each of said chambers including at least one of said ink connections. More preferably, the cartridge includes one or more ink chambers each including an outlet, wherein the cartridge connection includes one or more cartridge pins adapted to be received by said chamber outlets respectively. It is preferred that each of the cartridge outlets include an elastomeric seal.

Preferably, an elastomeric pad surrounds the cartridge pins, or each of said cartridge pins. The pad or pads are compressible to expose the cartridge pins.

In a preferred form, the ink cartridge is configured for reception in said receptacle.

In one embodiment, the charging stand further includes an ink connector including: the ink connections; the ink cartridge connections; and an ink conduit connecting each cartridge connection with a respective ink connection. In this case, the ink connector can be located within the charging stand such that the ink connections and the cartridge connections are disposed in the receptacle.

Preferably, the ink connections include one or more device pins adapted to be received in one or more inlets of said telecommunications device. More preferably, the stand includes an elastomeric pad around the device pins, the pad being compressible to expose the device pins.

In a preferred embodiment, the ink reservoir is disposed on the charging stand such that when a telecommunications device including an internal printer is received in the receptacle, gravity causes ink to flow from the ink reservoir to the printer of the telecommunications device.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a charging stand for a mobile telecommunications device having an internal printer, the charging stand including a base, a receptacle formed in said base and adapted to receive a mobile telecommunications device therein, an external power connection, a removable ink cartridge storing one or more inks and adapted to be received in said receptacle, one or more power contacts adapted to engage complimentary contacts on said mobile telecommunications device to provide for recharging a battery of said mobile telecommunications device from said external power connection, and an ink connector including one or more cartridge connections adapted to engage complimentary connections on said ink cartridge, one or more device connections adapted to engage complimentary formations on a mobile telecommunications device and one or more ink flow conduits connecting said cartridge connections and said device connections.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device having an internal printer, the mobile telecommunications device including a power recharge interface and an ink supply interface for accepting recharging power and ink from a charging stand in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a recharging device for providing a mobile telecommunications device having an internal printer with recharging power and ink, the recharging device including an ink supply output for releasable connection to a complementary ink supply input of the mobile telecommunications device, and a power recharging output for providing recharging power to the mobile telecommunications device when it is connected to the ink supply output.

Preferably, the recharging device further includes a power supply connection for connecting an external power supply that provides, in use, power to the power recharging output.

More preferably, the power recharging output includes a conductive power supply contact for engaging a corresponding conductive power receiving contact of the mobile telecommunications device.

Alternatively, the power recharging output includes an inductive coupling arrangement for inductively coupling with a corresponding inductive arrangement in the mobile telecommunications device, in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging stand, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a charging stand with a mobile telephone positioned therein;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the charging stand;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the charging stand of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a removable ink cartridge;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone adapted for use with a charging stand of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross section of a charging stand and mobile telephone, in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A charging stand according to the invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The stand 10 receives a mobile telecommunications device 20, e.g. a mobile telephone, as depicted in FIG. 2. The stand 10 includes a base 11 with a receptacle 12 that receives the mobile telephone. A set of ink contacts 13 and power contacts 14 are disposed in the base receptacle 12. The base 11 also receives an ink cartridge 50.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an exploded view of the charging stand 10 illustrating the internal features. The charging stand 10 includes a base moulding 31 and base plate 32. A power cord 33 passes through an aperture in the base moulding 31 and connects to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 34 within the base moulding 31. The opposite end of the power cord 33 includes a standard plug for connection with mains power, which will usually be alternating current (AC). In this case, the power will need to be rectified if it is to be fed to the battery of the mobile telecommunications device in a direct current (DC) form. Alternatively, the charging stand is configured for connection with an alternative power source such as through the cigarette lighter connection of a car, which will usually be direct current (DC). In either case, the power will typically need to be stepped down to provide compatible voltage and current to a battery of the mobile telecommunications device.

The PCB 34 supports components including a power-in plug 35, a speaker plug 36 connected to a speaker 37 and charging contacts 38. The power-in plug 35, speaker plug 36 and charging contacts 38 protrude through the base moulding 31 into the receptacle 12.

The base moulding 31 also houses ink connections 39 that include hollow cartridge connection pins 40 and device connection pins 41 connected through a conduit in an ink connection base 42. Four pins are shown in FIG. 3 that provide an ink flow path for three colour inks and black ink. The cartridge pins and device pins protrude through the base moulding 31 into the receptacle 12. Elastomeric pads 43 are formed around the pins 40, 41 for protection but compress to the configuration depicted in FIG. 3 during loading of an ink cartridge or telephone device into the receptacle, thereby exposing the pins for use. The device pins may be fitted with a cap or seal that prevents ink flow when no device is received in the receptacle but are removed prior to, or in the act of, loading a device into the charging stand.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the resilience of the elastomeric pads 43 once the ink cartridge and telephone have been removed. The pads return to their uncompressed state thereby providing protection to the ink cartridge pins and device pins when the pins are not in use. In addition to providing protection, the elastomeric pads 43 also act to seal the ink flow path through the ink connector 40 thereby preventing any ink trapped within the connector 40 from drying out and potentially causing a blockage. As can be seen from FIG. 4 the power-in plug 35, speaker plug 36 and charging contacts 38 remain exposed.

The charging stand receives a removable ink cartridge 50 of the type illustrated in FIG. 5. The ink cartridge 50 includes an ink reservoir sized to fit into the receptacle 12 of the charging stand. Internally the ink cartridge is divided into four separate chambers for the four different types of ink. Four apertures 51 formed in the end of the cartridge 50 provide an outlet for each of the four chambers and are located on the cartridge 50 so as to receive the cartridge pins 41 of the charging stand when the cartridge is loaded into the receptacle of the charging stand. A seal 53, for example an elastomeric seal, is disposed within each ink chamber about the outlet 51 to seal the respective chamber when the cartridge is removed from the charging stand.

The cartridge 50 may be provided with a QA chip and contacts 52 that communicate with similar contacts 45 (FIG. 4) on the charging stand to ensure that only compatible cartridges 50 are used with the charging stand.

The charging stand 10 receives a mobile telephone 20 or like device equipped with an internal printer and battery. As shown in FIG. 6, the telephone 20 includes a series of ink inlet ports 60 that lead to the ink supply systems of the printer, a power socket 61, hands free jack 62 and charging contacts 63 leading to a battery or like charge storage device of the telephone. When the telephone 20 is loaded onto the charging stand receptacle 12 as depicted in FIG. 2, the ink inlets, power socket, hands free jack and charging contacts align with and engage respectively the device pins, power-in connection, speaker plug and charging contacts of the charging stand. Power is then supplied to the telephone both to allow operation of the telephone and to re-charge the telephone batteries in a known manner.

FIG. 7 shows a reverse cross section of the loaded charging stand of FIG. 2 illustrating the connection from the printer of the telephone to the ink cartridge 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the ink cartridge 50 is disposed in the receptacle such that the cartridge pin 40 has penetrated the seal 53 and protrudes into one of the ink chambers of the cartridge. Similarly, the ink inlet ports of the telephone have engaged the device pins of the charging stand. Thus the ink connector 39 provides a conduit from the ink cartridge 50 to the ink reservoirs of the printer. Pressure, gravitational or osmotic effects between the ink chambers of the cartridge and the ink reservoir of the printer causes ink to flow to the printer reservoir.

While the embodiments of the invention have been described with particular reference to mobile telephones, it will be apparent to the skilled addressee that the invention is equally suitable to other types of mobile telecommunications devices such as Wireless Internet Access Devices (WIADs), in particular Wireless Applications Protocol (WAP) terminals, pagers etc.

The charging stand of the present invention allows the battery and ink supplies of a mobile telephone with printer to be re-charged simultaneously. Furthermore, using a charging stand as herein described, it is unlikely that ink supplies of the printer would ever be exhausted as by the time this event occurred, there would be insufficient power in the battery to operate the printer.

The invention has also been described with reference to a four colour printer where the ink cartridge of the charging stand has four chambers for three colour inks and black ink. The configuration of the ink cartridge and the number of pins of the ink connector will depend on the type of printer employed in the mobile telecommunications device. For example the cartridge may store only black ink. Alternatively or in addition, the ink cartridge may include a chamber and ink connection for supplying infra-red ink or some other ink type to a printer.

It will be appreciated that although the preferred embodiment of the invention takes the form of a stand, an alternative embodiment (not shown) is a plug that interfaces with corresponding ink and power sockets in a phone or communications device. An ink reservoir and power supply are still provided, but there is no stand or cradle for the phone to sit in. Rather, once the plug is plugged into the corresponding socket, the phone is simply laid in a suitable place such as a benchtop or desk. A potential advantage of this embodiment is that the ink reservoir (which might be relatively bulky if of high capacity) can be located remotely from the mobile phone charging point, such as on the floor or on a shelf out of the way. In some cases, this can avoid the reservoir being bumped, or at least diminishes the amount of clutter in a work area. The reservoir in this case can also be mounted in the same housing as, or adjacent to, a transformer for rectifying AC mains power for supply to the mobile phone.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. It will further be understood that any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 

1. A portable electronic device and associated charging stand assembly comprising: a portable electronic device with an inbuilt printer, a battery and a printing fluid interface for receiving printing fluid to be used by the printer; and, a charging stand having a receptacle for releasably receiving the portable electronic device, a power connection for electrical connection to an external power supply, a power transmission arrangement for providing the recharging power to the battery when the portable electronic device is in the receptacle, a printing fluid reservoir storing printing fluid for use by the inbuilt printer, and a printing fluid connection for engaging the printing fluid interface to establish fluid communication between the printing fluid reservoir and the inbuilt printer when the portable electronic device is in the receptacle, said printing fluid reservoir disposed such that printing fluid flows into the inbuilt printer under gravity feed when the portable electronic device is in said receptacle.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile telecommunications device and the printing fluid reservoir is an ink reservoir.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power transmission arrangement has terminals for engaging electrical contacts on the portable electronic device when it is in the receptacle in order to recharge the battery.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power transmission arrangement includes a magnetic field generator for generating an inductive coupling between the stand and an inductive current generation device within the portable electronic device for recharging the battery when it is in the receptacle.
 5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said ink reservoir is a removable ink cartridge and the printing fluid connection has at least one cartridge connection for engaging at least one corresponding complementary formation on said ink cartridge.
 6. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said ink reservoir includes a plurality of ink chambers storing distinct ink colours and/or types, each of said chambers including at least one of said printing fluid connections.
 7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the plurality of ink chambers each includes an outlet, wherein said at least one of said printing fluid connections includes one or more cartridge pins received by said chamber outlets respectively.
 8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein each of said cartridge outlets include an elastomeric seal.
 9. An assembly according to claim 7 further comprising an elastomeric pad surrounding the cartridge pins or each of said cartridge pins, each pad or pads being compressible to expose said cartridge pins.
 10. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said ink cartridge is configured for reception in said receptacle.
 11. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said printing fluid connection has one or more device pins adapted to be received in one or more inlets of said printing fluid interface.
 12. An assembly according to claim 11 wherein the printing fluid connection further comprises an elastomeric pad around said device pins wherein said pad is compressible to expose said device pins. 